RAWALPINDI: The Punjab home department has imposed a ban on meeting of relatives and others with all prisoners in the Central Jail Adiala for three days owing to security concerns.

Jail authorities confirmed that the three-day ban was imposed from Monday. In addition, a ban on providing any items to prisoners was also banned.

Former foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi’s wife, sister and daughter, who came to the jail to meet him, were denied entry.

Talking to reporters outside the jail, Mr Qureshi’s wife said the order to impose the ban on meeting with the inmates was issued late on Sunday night.

“They have imposed the ban for three days as a decision in the cipher case appeal is to be announced,” she said, adding Mr Qureshi was fine and in high spirit.

“How can a person be in danger by meeting his wife, daughter and sister,” she said, adding they also asked Jail Superintendent Asad Waraich about any security risk.

On March 12, the government had imposed a ban on meeting with prisoners for two weeks citing security concerns.

PTI founder and former prime minister Imran Khan and former chief minister Punjab Pervaiz Elahi are also kept in the crowded jail. The prison department has been directed to further beef up security of the jail and conduct a fresh security survey.

Over 7,000 inmates, including high-profile criminals, are detained in the Adiala jail, more than twice of the jail’s capacity.

Published in Dawn, May 14th, 2024